EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Saint Louis University volleyball team opened its 2025 season with a pair of sweeps over Northern Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
 
Game One: SLU 3, Northern Kentucky 0
Set 1 (SLU 25, NKU 23)–
The Billikens and Norse traded points throughout the set, with neither team leading by more than four. Tied at 23, Ellie Rink delivered back-to-back kills to secure the opening-set victory for SLU.
 
Set 2 (SLU 25, NKU 19) –
Much like the first, the second set was tightly contested until SLU went on a five-point run to take a 16-12 lead. From there, the Billikens controlled the pace and took a two-set advantage.
 
Set 3 (SLU 25, NKU 15) –
A defining seven-point run, highlighted by three straight service aces from Alivia Bronner, put SLU ahead 20-10. The Billikens cruised from there to complete the sweep.
 
SLU hit .270 as a team. Tamia Maddox led the offense with 11 kills, while Irmak Gokcen and Ellie Rink added nine and eight, respectively. Freshman setter Jetta Brenning posted a double-double in her collegiate debut with 33 assists and 13 digs.
 
Game Two: SLU 3, Southern Indiana 0
Set 1 (SLU 25, USI 22)–
SLU trailed for most of the opening set before taking its first lead at 19-18. The Billikens finished strong to win 25-22.
 
Set 2 (SLU 25, USI 19)–
After building an 18-12 lead, SLU allowed USI to tie the set at 19. The Billikens responded with seven straight points to take the set and a 2-0 match lead.
 
Set 3 (SLU 25, USI 23)–
The Billikens jumped out to a 17-10 lead, but USI fought back to tie it at 21. The teams traded points until SLU closed out the set, 25-23, and secured the sweep.
 
Ellie Rink led the way with 16 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. Maddox added 10 kills while hitting .368. Brenning recorded her second double-double of the day with 24 assists and 13 digs. Chloe Maughan also contributed 13 digs. Maughan, Brenning, and Rink each tallied two service aces. Kayla Jansen anchored the defense with one solo block and six block assists.